The three main branches of Christianity

I know my book and website/blog are heavily weighted as Catholic (I think) in nature, but in actuality, my intention is not to convert people to my point of reference, the Catholic Church and its Magisterial Teachings.

It is my opinion that our main duty as Christians is not to convert but to bear witness to Christ, through our actions in serving others, through the sacrificial care and love for those less fortunate.

I am simply expressing what God has called me to in this lifetime.

I grew up Eastern Orthodox as a child and young adult and was given a solid grounding in Christianity and a Sacramental way of life.

I had a profound, private, spiritual awakening in college to Christ's sacrificial love through the heroic witness of a disabled fellow Orthodox friend.

I converted to Catholicism shortly after because it taught me, through the witness of the Saints and the Magisterium, how to live an authentic Christian life (not easy).

And finally, when I once found myself homeless for a short period of time, no one would lift a finger to help me except a good Protestant friend and then the local Protestant Christ Rescue Mission for a couple of months while I gathered myself back on my feet. 

(By the way, I was blown away by some of the expository Bible studies that some of the ministers there presented in the chapel.)

In no way was I tempted to abandon my Catholic Faith.

I learned over the years a profound lesson in respect. 

The respect that God has for us and the respect we should have for each other's boundaries.

I re-present here a Google search regarding what the three main branches of Christianity are:

Christianity is traditionally divided into three main branches: Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism. These streams emerged from major historical events, primarily the East-West Schism (1054 AD) and the Protestant Reformation (16th century). [1, 2, 3]

These branches share core beliefs in the Trinity and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but differ in governance, tradition, and theology: [1, 2]

1. Roman Catholicism

• Authority: The Pope in Rome, who is the visible head of the church.
• Beliefs: Authority rests equally in Scripture and church tradition. Salvation comes through faith and the Church's seven sacraments.
• Leadership: Highly centralized and hierarchical. [1, 2]

2. Eastern Orthodoxy

• Authority: Decentralized; led by a group of autocephalous (independent) bishops (Patriarchs).
• Beliefs: Focus heavily on church tradition, the writings of the Church Fathers, and the decisions of the seven ecumenical councils.
• Structure: Autonomous national churches (e.g., Greek, Russian, Antiochian Orthodox) that are unified in doctrine and liturgy. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

3. Protestantism

• Authority: Sola Scriptura—the Bible is the only infallible source of authority for Christian faith and practice. [1, 2]
• Beliefs: Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone. Most Protestants observe two sacraments: Baptism and the Eucharist (Communion). [1, 2, 3]
• Leadership: Highly decentralized, resulting in a wide array of denominations (e.g., Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal).

Christian truth about death

Here is a quote from a very wise Catholic convert, Dr. Scott Hahn.

I may have to pick up a copy of his book from which this observation was made.

This has always been a grim and difficult subject for me, as I'm sure it is for many people.

I know, sometimes forgiveness is hard, here's a little biblical reality (humor)

The more I internalize this, the more I can forgive and hope to be forgiven.

In reality, my parents proved to be my best friends in recovery from mental illness.

A picture of my parents while out to lunch several years ago:

Saints with mental illnesses?

The image above is that of a Holy Rosary, which is said to be a chain by which the sick and suffering, and yes, sinners, are lifted from the depths of misery and degradation. 

Here's a quick reposting of an AI Google search of Saints with mental illnesses. Hope it is helpful.

"While many saints lived before modern psychology, the Church acknowledges several canonized individuals and blesseds who exhibited profound signs of mental illness and emotional suffering, proving that holiness is achievable amidst psychiatric battles. [1]

• St. Oscar Romero: The martyred Archbishop of San Salvador sought psychoanalysis in the 1970s and was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Despite battling excessive fear and rigidity, he used therapy and spiritual practices to overcome these hurdles and championed the oppressed. [1, 2]
• St. Elizabeth Ann Seton: The first American-born saint experienced severe depression and suicidal ideation during her adolescent years, enduring deep personal grief while maintaining her intense faith. [1, 2]
• Venerable Rutilio Grande: A Jesuit priest and martyr, he suffered from catatonic schizophrenia. He endured nervous breakdowns and was hospitalized twice, yet continued his pastoral work advocating for the poor in El Salvador. [1]
• St. Benedict Joseph Labre: Known as the "homeless saint of Rome," he experienced profound emotional and mental anguish. He is often considered the patron saint of mental health struggles because of his extreme psychic suffering and scrupulosity. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Servant of God Rose Hawthorne Lathrop: After the birth of her first child, she suffered from postpartum depression and psychosis, requiring treatment at an asylum before she recovered and went on to found a Dominican order for cancer patients.

Enjoying a baseball game while working

 

One of my favorite pastimes while I write and look for good content ideas is to listen to my favorite team's radio broadcast in the background.

Hope you have something to enjoy while getting things done.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament today

 

I was fortunate to spend 15 minutes today in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at my favorite shrine.

It is with profound respect that I enter into consideration of the magnitude that receiving this sacrament has had on my life over the years. (Mental illness notwithstanding.)

It was good to bow my head and pour out all my troubles and prayers to the One who knows our plight intimately, given that He lived as True God and true man and suffered for and with us to bring us healing and forgiveness of sin.

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for allowing me to worship You and offer my small token of appreciation for all that only You have to offer our wounded and broken humanity.

A library visit today

I just had to get out of my stifling little apartment to do some writing.

I can think of no better place than your local public library if you are fortunate to have a good one.

In it, I am surrounded by books and books and books of ideas.

It is also a quiet, safe place to work at no charge.

I'm not really interested in reading today and am soon going to open up the blank page of my word processor and stare at it for a while.

Here we go!